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Old 20-08-2018, 18:26   #1
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Fuel fill with no gauge

The diesel fill tube on our Hunter Vision sailboat does not allow a straight dipstick. Any suggestions?
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Old 20-08-2018, 18:52   #2
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Re: Fuel fill with no gauge

Check the top of the tank itself and see if it has an inspection port.
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Old 20-08-2018, 19:01   #3
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Re: Fuel fill with no gauge

I drilled and tapped a 1/8" pipe thread hole in the return line elbow at the tank.
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Old 21-08-2018, 04:49   #4
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Re: Fuel fill with no gauge

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Originally Posted by SqPeg View Post
The diesel fill tube on our Hunter Vision sailboat does not allow a straight dipstick. Any suggestions?
If you can fill on a quiet day, you can sometimes here a difference in sound as the tank approaches full.

Do you know the nominal tank volume? (Might be labeled.)

It might not be difficult to install a gauge. Especially if the tank already has a port for such; the bolt hole pattern for a sender is often a standard SAE thing...

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Old 21-08-2018, 05:03   #5
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Re: Fuel fill with no gauge

Insert a commercially available "whistler" in the vent line. Air escaping from the vent causes a whistling sound. When the whistling stops, the tank is full.
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Old 21-08-2018, 05:14   #6
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Re: Fuel fill with no gauge

https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?id=848503
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Old 21-08-2018, 07:37   #7
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Re: Fuel fill with no gauge

Neato!! I have the same problem as the OP, and was unaware of this low cost, low tech solution. Me likey!!
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Old 21-08-2018, 07:56   #8
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Re: Fuel fill with no gauge

You can almost always hear a "gurgle" start or change sound at the fill deck fitting when the tank is getting full. At that point go slow. I've had the whistler an it helps. but doesn't stop whistling until it fills with fuel. That may be too late unless you are filling quite slow. I guess the gurgle and whistle are about equal use.
Although maybe it's possible to install the whistler down near the tank top (?) instead of further up the vent line....
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Old 21-08-2018, 08:22   #9
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Re: Fuel fill with no gauge

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Originally Posted by Cheechako View Post
You can almost always hear a "gurgle" start or change sound at the fill deck fitting when the tank is getting full. At that point go slow.

On mine the pitch of the fuel flow changes. I have about 5 more seconds to go at that point before I risk fuel out the vent line so that’s when I stop.

I’ve literally yelled at chatty people on a fuel dock to please pipe down on occasion with my ear hovering over the deck fill lol
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Old 21-08-2018, 08:39   #10
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Re: Fuel fill with no gauge

On one boat I installed a mechanical gauge, there was already an opening with a cover on the tank. Not great at mid levels but worked to tell if the tank was full. I think they make some now that fit in a small pipe fitting too.
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